WSP06233

• File Number: 8143.800
• Description: John Martin Reservoir - Water and Contracts
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 12/1/1999
• Title: Report of the Colorado State Engineer - Concerning Accounting of the Operations of an Offset Account in John Martin Reservoir for Colorado Pumping - 1998 -- Part 2 of 2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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HELTON & W1LUAMSEN, P.C.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS IN WATER RESOURCES
384 INVERNESS DRIVE SOUTH. SUITE 144
ENGLEWOOD. COLORADO 80112-5822
PHONE [phone]
FAX [phone]

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February 9. 1999

Mr. Hal D. Simpson, State Engineer
Colorado Division of Water Resources
1313 Sherman Street. Room 818
Denver. Colorado 80203

Subject: Measurement of LAWMA's Highland Canal Water Rights

Dear Hal:

This lelter has been prepared to request your permission for and assistance in the
establishment and use of a gaging station on the Purgatoire River for determining the water available
to LAWMA's Highland Canal water rights. We met with several Division 2 staff members last fall
concerning this proposal at the Highland diversion facilities, and I believe they feel that it is feasible.

As you know, the Highland Canal diverts from the Purgatoire River approximately 17 miles
upstream from its discharge into the Arkansas River. The following three priorities have been decreed
to the ditch: priority no. 27 for 16.6 cfs with a May 31, 1866 appropriation date, priOrity no. 97 for 7.4
cfs with an April 1. 1884 appropriation date, and priority no. 120 for 38.5 cfs with a March 1, 1909
appropriation date. Priority nos. 27 and 97 are, for all practical purposes, not subject to call from
senior water rights, but priority no. 120 is junior to several water rights in Water District 67. When
water is in conservation storage in John Martin Reservoir and in low-flow conditions, the Highland can
sweep the river without regard to downstream water rights. The main canal is about 14 miles in
length and extends to within about 2 miles of the city of Las Animas.

As you know also, LAWMA acquired 3.382 shares of stock in the Highland Irrigation Company
in 1997 and 1998. The purpose of these acquisitions was to provide water for use in its replacement
plan'. These shares represent approximately 89 percent of the outstanding stock in the company.
Four individuals use the remaining 418 shares. Two of these individuals, who own 231 of these
shares, are the two upstream-most users and take their water in the first 4 miles of the canal. The
other two individuals. who own 187 shares, take their water at the downstream end of the canal.
LAWMA plans eventually to acquire the shares owned by these lalter two individuals and to abandon
the lower 10 miles of the canal, thereby eliminating any questions about irrigation of dry-up lands.

At present, LAWMA operates the canal in a 'rotationa" basis of water distribution, which has
been the historical practice. LAWMA takes its share of water at Wasteway No.3, which is located
about 4 miles downstream from the diversion facilities. LAWMA's water Is released back to the
Purgatoire River through the waste gate with measurements based on a rectangular "submerged
orifice" rating. This measurement situation is less than ideal. When water is being delivered to the
two downstream users, the entire canal is operated. The difficulty with this arrangement Is that the
canal is difficult and expensive to maintain. Since the flows in the Purgatoire and therefore the water
available to the Highland vary continuously, LAWMA has to have a full-time ditch rider. Also, the
canal is vulnerable to breaks and washouts whenever rainstorms occur on the prairie to the west.

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